Philippians 2:19-30 The joyful life is the life of sacrifice and service.

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1 Philippians 2:19-30 The joyful life is the life of sacrifice and service. Michael Silva / November 6, 2016 Opening/Joke: There was a small charter plane flying across the country and on that plane sat a devout clergyman, a hippie drifter and the smartest man on Earth. They all were enjoying each other's company when the pilot and co-pilot suddenly ran out of the cockpit yelling that the plan was going down. As they opened the hatch, the pilot called out, "Grab a parachute and bail out!" Left alone in a doomed aircraft the three grabbed the parachutes, but one of them was damaged. The smartest man on Earth said, "The world cannot be left without the knowledge I can bring!" He grabbed one of the good parachutes, quickly put it on and jumped out of the plane. The clergyman looked at the drifter and said, "You take the last parachute, my son. I have always loved and served the Lord and I know where I will be after this plane crashes." The drifter looked at the clergyman and said, "Not to worry sir, there's still two chutes left; the smartest man in the world just jumped with my backpack." Transition: 1. The clergyman in that joke was willing to make a great sacrifice for another. a) In our passage today Paul gives us two more examples of those who model sacrifice and service for God s glory. Let's read our passage: Philippians 2:19-30 (NKJV) i Intro to our passage in Philippians, The Epistle of Joy 1. The theme of this letter is joy no matter our circumstances. a) Paul modeled this as he wrote this letter to the believers in Philippi as a prisoner in Rome. b) As we will see in our continued study of this book that Paul s joy was rooted in staying focused on Christ and the His work in our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. 2. Today Paul introduces us to two ordinary saints, men who were not apostles or spectacular

2 Page 2 miracle workers. ii a) They were regular people that you and I hopefully can relate to. b) Who can be like Jesus He was perfect, that s hard to do, though we make that our aim. c) Who can be like Paul, whom Jesus personally visited on the road to Damascus? i) But anyone can be like Timothy and Epaphroditus. ii) And Timothy and Epaphroditus show us that the joyful life is the life of sacrifice and service. Philippians 2:19 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 1. The word trust, which comes from the original Greek word ἐλπίζω (elpizo), which could also be translated as Hope. a) This word trust is associated with joy and full confidence. b) Paul was fully reliant on God s will and God s plan in God s perfect timing. i) He had confidence and trust in the Lord, with joy. ii) This is not surprising as it is part of the theme of this letter, joy no matter our circumstances. iii) So Paul, with hope, joy, and full of confidence in the Lord, plans to send Timothy to Philippi. 2. Who is Timothy? (1) And this, is so he can hear directly from Timothy how the believers in Philippi were really doing. a) We first read about him in Acts 16. i) Paul met Timothy on his 2 nd Missionary Journey. ii) Timothy was already a disciple when Paul arrived in Derbe and Lystra. iii) Timothy s mother and grandmother were instrumental in his coming to the faith. iv) This young man was spoken well of by the brethren there in that region. b) Timothy s mother was Jewish and his father a Greek. i) Interestingly Timothy was circumcised, as a believer, after meeting Paul. Page 2

3 Page 3 ii) We are not specifically told why he was circumcised, but I believe 1 Corinthians 9:22 holds the key to that question. (1) Paul wrote I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (2) I believe Timothy, a Jew, was circumcised so that there would be nothing that would hinder his sharing the gospel with the Jews. c) In 1 Corinthians 4:17 Paul called Timothy a beloved and faithful son in the Lord i) Timothy s mentioned in Acts, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy were written directly to him, and he s also mentioned in Philemon and Hebrews. d) Timothy was with Paul during Paul s later missionary journeys and now in his imprisonment in Rome, though Timothy was not a prisoner himself. i) He spent much time with Paul and eventually became a faithful young leader and pastor in the early church. Philippians 2:20 [Paul says,] 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 1. Paul and Timothy were like-minded from the Greek word (ἰσόψυχος isopsuchos (esup-sue-kos)), which means equal in soul. a) It s not that they both liked the N.E. Patriots, or enjoyed playing golf together, or puppies, or going to the gym together, or meeting for coffee. b) What made Paul tick was the same thing that made Timothy tick. c) What Paul was passionate about is what Timothy was passionate about. d) They were both motivated by the same things. i) What was that? Well, in looking at the life of Paul with Timothy we know some of those things include (1) Knowing and walking with Christ. (2) Sharing the gospel. (3) Establishing churches. (4) Seeing churches grow in maturity. 2. Paul had a pattern he followed and taught. a) He encouraged younger Christians to learn, to observe, to help, and then to lead. Page 3

4 Page 4 b) Paul expected older Christians to teach, to model, to mentor, and then to turn over leadership. iii c) Timothy followed in that pattern and it s a good pattern for us to continue in. 3. Paul tells us that Timothy had a servant s heart He will sincerely care for your state, Paul writes. a) That is the mark of a true minister. That they care for those they are responsible for and look for ways to serve them. Philippians 2:21 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 1. Compare Philippians 1:21 with Phil 2:21 a) One group is all about themselves and the other all about Jesus. b) People are the same throughout history. i) Both people today and back in Paul s day were self-absorbed, seeking their own interests. c) To which group do you belong? To live is Christ, or are you are seeking your own? i) If we are going to be honest, maybe we really have been doing both. (1) Trying to live for Christ, but selfishly seeking our own ii) The more we seek to know and live for Christ, the more true, lasting joy and peace we will have within. iii) Let s make it our aim to be like-minded with Paul and Timothy living for Christ. Philippians 2:22 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 1. Here we see Paul s relationship with Timothy once again Like a father and son. a) And the old saying is true, As the father so is the son. i) Paul had a proven character and so did Timothy. ii) The word proven here means to examine and if you examined Timothy s life you d find a solid, Christ-exalting character. iii) Timothy wasn t all talk; through sacrifice and service he had established a proven character. Page 4

5 Page 5 2. Concerning the importance of Character a) John Maxwell emphasizes that - True leadership always begins with the inner person. b) Henry Cloud states, One decision repeated begins to build a path that leads to a pattern that builds Christian character. c) Renowned coach John Wooden said, Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. 3. Let s seek to build our character in Christ. Philippians 2: Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. 1. Interesting, that Paul wanted to send Timothy to Philippi, but not before a decision was made in Paul s own case. a) Why did Paul delay in sending Timothy? i) Bible commentators suggest two possible reasons (1) Paul wanted to send Timothy with the latest news on the final outcome of the trial. (2) Paul still needed Timothy s help and assistance while a prison in Rome. b) There is something to be said about this second possible reason. i) While we are called to put others first, that doesn t mean we can t ask for help. ii) Galatians 6:2 Bear one another s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. iii) But in order to bear one another s burdens we have to share our burdens. Philippians 2:25a 25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, 1. So because Paul wasn t sending Timothy right away, instead he was going to send Epaphroditus back to Philippi. a) Who is Epaphroditus? i) Many believe he was the pastor or a leader in the church at Philippi. (1) At the very least we know he was the one who carried a love offering from Philippi to Paul in Rome. Page 5

6 Page 6 ii) He is a Gentile believer based on his Greek name. 2. Notice the three ways Paul describes Epaphroditus my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier. a) MY BROTHER iv speaks of a relationship to be enjoyed. i) This indicates that he was a fellow believer. b) FELLOW WORKER speaks of a job to be done. i) And that Epaphroditus and Paul were working together. c) FELLOW SOLDIER speaks of a battle to be fought. i) And that we have a common enemy. 3. Embracing all three bring balance. a) If the church focuses on relationship and fellowship only, we will never reach our communities for Christ. b) If we focus only on outreach and neglect relationships, then we become unhealthy because we will be missing the encouragement and support of our fellow believers. c) If we focus only on the enemy, we will be all defense and no offense meaning we won t reach anyone outside the church or encourage anyone inside of it. Philippians 2:25b-26 Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 1. Epaphroditus was chosen by the church to carry their love gift to Paul. a) He was also a messenger or one who was sent with a commission. b) Epaphroditus had come not just to deliver money, but he was commissioned to minister to Paul s spiritual needs. (Barton, B. B., & Comfort, P. W.) c) Each of us has been commissioned by the Lord to accomplish something for His name s sake? i) How are you doing in fulfilling that commission? 2. But at some point during Epaphroditus journey and mission he became very ill. Page 6

7 Page 7 Philippians 2: For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 1. Epaphroditus was committed to coming to Paul and delivering the church s love gift that it put him in a place where he almost lost his life. a) This went well beyond the act of just delivering a package. Epaphroditus wanted to be a blessing to Paul. b) Epaphroditus was not content simply to contribute to the offering. He gave himself to help carry the offering! v 2. Paul s concern that he would sorrow over the loss of his friend shows us that it s okay to have sorrow and mourn at the passing of a loved one. a) As Christians we do not naturally desire to die, nor do we welcome the death of a friend or loved one. b) While we can rejoice in a Christian s going to be with the Lord, we also grieve our loss. 3. And of course we already know that sickness does not indicate a lack of faith. a) Sickness can be a result of sin, but the presence of sickness does not indicate sin. b) Instead, sickness is often a tool God uses to help us grow in faith and our reliance upon Him. Philippians 2: Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. 1. With Epaphroditus s unexpected return, the church might have thought that his mission to minister to Paul had failed. (Barton, B. B., & Comfort, P. W.) a) They might have been concerned that Epaphroditus was leaving Paul alone in Paul s most desperate time of need. b) Instead, Paul took full responsibility for Epaphroditus return to Philippi and encouraged the believers to rejoice that he had come back to them. 2. Epaphroditus supplied what was lacking in service by actually bringing the support that the Philippians gave. (Guzik) a) There was a lack in all the Philippians generosity and good intentions until the gift finally made its way to Paul s need. Page 7

8 Page 8 b) David Guzik: We should have the heart that there is something lacking in our service until the job is done. We should not be satisfied with good intentions or a half-done job. Conclusion: What can we glean from this passage? 1. The joyful life is the life of sacrifice and service. a) Paul and Timothy together encourage us to submit ourselves to the Lord, and to one another, in the Spirit of Christ. b) Christ is the Pattern we follow. c) And Timothy and Epaphroditus are the proof that this pattern really works. i All scripture references, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. ii Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 80). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. iii Barton, B. B., & Comfort, P. W. (1995). Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (p. 74). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers. iv Guzik, D. (2013). Philippians. Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. v Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 83). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. Page 8

1) When Paul writes the letter all three visits are in the future

1) When Paul writes the letter all three visits are in the future Philippians 2:19-30 1:12-26 - Paul gives information about his situation. 1:27-2:18 - Paul addresses the Philippians situation. 2:19-30 - Paul discusses the upcoming visits to Philippi o 2:19-23 - Timothy